Explore North Lake Tahoe’s hiking trails with stunning leaf peeping this fall! Embrace Tahoe’s secret season bursting with colorful autumn landscapes, tranquil blue skies, refreshing mountain air and uncrowded national forest trails! We’ve got the leaf peeping spots you don’t want to miss, the ones locals love to escape to, and the wide-open trails you can’t wait to discover.
Guided Fall Foliage Hikes – Spooner Lake
Take a breathtaking Fall Foliage Guided Hike with Tahoe Adventure Company! Hike through towering evergreens and colorful aspens with the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet. TAC takes you to a variety of spots including Spooner Lake and matches the hike to your needs, especially if you have little ones with you. Learn about local geology and native Washoe culture and enjoy a deli style lunch, water and snacks. Give them a call to book a private hike by a local guide this Fall!
Five Lakes Trail – Olympic Valley
Explore the Five Lakes Trail nestled in the foothills of the Granite Chief Wilderness. This uphill hike to beautiful, serene lakes is rocky and fun! Use the AllTrails app to navigate around the 5 lakes and bring a picnic and jump in the water after your hike. Continue on to the PCT if you want to hike even further or hike to Squaw Valley!
Mount Rose Summit – Incline Village
Capture spectacular, golden views of North Lake Tahoe hiking to the top of Mount Rose Summit! This steep Sierra trail leads to a waterfall, beautiful streams and breathtaking vantage points at every section! Wide-open panoramic views at the top expose you to cool winds so bring a windbreaker and plenty of water and snacks as this 10-mile hike is a true leg burner!
Sugar Pine Point Nature Trails – Tahoma
Lush, golden aspens line The General Creek Trail starting at Sugar Pine Point State Park! This wide trail near Tahoma consists of a 4.5 mile loop and narrows as it climbs toward Lily Pond changing from an easy to moderate skill level. Walk even further to Lost Lake for elevation gains and a beautiful view at the end. Be on the lookout for rocky cliff faces, bouldering and wildlife sightings.
Sagehen Creek Trail & Mount Judah Loop Trail – Truckee
Vivid fall colors await at Sagehen Creek Trail near Truckee! This flat, 5 mile out and back trail is an easy stroll with a babbling brook, glimmering aspens, and a lake perfect for throwing rocks – great for kids and dogs! Keep watch for beaver dams and birds near Stampede Reservoir located at the end of the trail. If you’re looking for a rockier experience, hike the Mount Judah Trail to see Donner Lake from up high! Moss covered redwoods and lichen coated boulders color the 4.5-mile narrow trail before reaching 360 views.
Tahoe Fall Foliage looks best from above so choose your trail and get hiking the beautiful Sierra mountains. But if you’re looking to leaf peep without hiking the following spots are local favorites:
- On West River Street in Downtown Truckee, along the Truckee River, west of Old Brockway Road. There are several spots to stop and admire the aspens.
- At the summit of Highway 267 there’s a grove of aspens with an old shack/cabin that will be ablaze in orange and yellow (and where a lot of people snap their holiday family portraits!).